I dressed, put the key in the bathroom sink, and sent him a text with the location. He’d wake before morning, and I knew when he did, he would tear the house apart looking for me before he’d think to free himself.

I didn’t stop to pack a bag or even have second thoughts. I escaped the apartment, his anger, and ultimately, the doom of our relationship.

I was mentally and physically exhausted so I relished the short drive. The apartments were pretty nice and also ridiculously expensive. I made my way up to the top floor, knocked and waited. My spine was slowly giving out with each second I stood outside the apartment door. The need to run and beg for forgiveness clawed its way inside and threatened to rip out my newfound spine. After I felt as if I’d been bathed in sweat, the door finally opened.

Jesse stood in the entrance, shirtless with sleep-tussled hair. His eyebrow lifted and his mouth quirked as he gripped the door. With his brown, curly hair and surfer’s body, he was every girl’s—or guy’s—heartthrob. His sexual preference was still in question and was a subject neither of us ever felt the need to bring up. Keiran had reluctantly told me about the kiss with Q after I remarked on the noticeable tension between them. I’d never suspected Jesse might be gay, but once I knew, it somehow started to make sense.

“Don’t you think he’s going to look for you here?” he greeted.

I took that as an invitation and ducked under his arm. “I’m not trying to hide from him. I’m just trying to get away from him.”

“It’s Keiran. You’d need to hide to get away. You know he’s coming after you.”

“You’ll protect me.”

He snorted and disappeared down the hall. “So what happened?” he yelled from what I assumed was his bedroom.

“Oh, Keiran being Keiran and me trying not to be intimidated by him.”

“You think he still wants to intimidate you?”

“He thinks he’s protecting me by making me afraid of him again.”

He didn’t respond right away, but then I heard a hesitant, “Are you?”

“No.” And surprisingly, it was true. Keiran was trying to hold us together the only way he knew how, and it only made me sad for what I did to us.

“Then why are you here?”

“Because I know my wolf,” I whispered wistfully. Here I was, running from him and lusting after him at the same time. God, I needed therapy.

I didn’t think he’d hear me, but then he said, “All right, Red.” He emerged from his bedroom and tossed a wad of clothes at me. “I’m assuming you don’t have anything to sleep in. Shower’s free if you need it.”

Keiran had meticulously washed away his release from my back, and I wondered if it was out of guilt for degrading me the way he had. I used Jesse’s spare bedroom to change into his t-shirt and flannel, then I walked into the kitchen in time to see and hear Jesse end a call and open the refrigerator while trying too hard to look unassuming.

He avoided my gaze and I grew suspicious. “Who was that?”

“What?”

“Who were you on the phone with?”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

He hesitated and then pulled out a carton of milk. “Your man.”

I ignored the flutter in my stomach and watched Jesse disappear inside the spacious pantry to grab a box of cereal. How did he find me so fast?

“He called you?”

“No. I called him.”

I felt my eyes narrow, but it didn’t matter. Jesse had yet to look at me. “I’m beginning to question whose friend you really are.”

“He’s my partner, Lake. What did you expect?”

“You’re my friend! God—” I yelled. I immediately turned on my heel and stormed from the kitchen. I could hear him chasing after me, and I sped up.

“Lake wait.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

“You can’t leave. He knows you’re here, but I convinced him to stay away for the night. If you leave, he’ll drag you back home and that’s the last thing you two need right now. He told me what you did to him. I have to say… I’m impressed.” He sounded amused and proud.

“I’m not looking for compliments, asshole. You sold me out.” I ran for the spare bedroom and snatched up my clothes. Screw the both of them and their men code. I heard Jesse’s knock but ignored it as I ripped off his shirt and replaced it with my own. I hated putting on worn clothing after showering, but there was no way I was staying with Keiran’s guard dog all night. It was as if he was still winning—still in control. Fuck that.